CST
Computer Simulation Technology (CST) develops and
markets high performance 3D electromagnetic simulation
tools designed to simulate electromagnetic fi elds in all
frequency bands.
Market: CHALLENGE
3D Electromagnetic Simulation When CST was founded in 1992, the requirements for
computational power were relatively small – for instance modeling
Product: a simple antenna to get a general sense of how it might ultimately
ACIS® Modeling, 3D InterOp Translators Suite function in production was suffi cient. Today analysis requires
close proximity to real world conditions and at the same time,
CHALLENGES considerations for many more factors due to more compact
CST needed a 3D modeling kernel for its electromagnetic designs. Analysis for the mobile phone industry, for example,
simulation software, however it lacked the development needs to consider the antenna inside of the phone and alongside a
resources or domain knowledge to meet functional and camera, while the phone still must be able to be held safely next to
time-to-market requirements the user’s head and fi t comfortably in his hand.
Solutions:
Spatial 3D ACIS modeling engine integrated into CST “Working with Spatial enables us to focus
software in 1994; subsequently integrated InterOp
software to perform all high-end CAD translations on our core technology competence. Because
we have a reliable modeling engine available
Results:
• Delivers high performance software with to us, we are able to concentrate our eff orts
powerful geometry kernel – particularly
important is robust Boolean capabilities
on the usability part of the interface. I think
• Permits in-house developers to work on this has been very well recognized in the
company’s competitive advantage - interface
usability
market; and it’s something that would not
• Enables CST customers to prototype more rapidly be possible without Spatial””
COMPANY -- Martin Timm, Marketing Director, CST
CST develops and markets high performance 3D electromagnetic
simulation tools designed for the analysis of electromagnetic Prior to developing CST STUDIO SUITE, CST’s founders had
fi elds in all frequency bands. These solver tools reduce product developed its MAFIA electromagnetic simulation software, which
development cycles and therefore, time to market. included a self-built modeling kernel. But the modeling engine
was developed by engineers who specialized in electromagnetic
CST serves a variety of industries including mobile communications; fi elds and not graphics operations, therefore the modeler was not
automotive; medical; aerospace and defense; and fundamental sophisticated enough to handle many real-world requirements. In
research for particle accelerators. The company’s global the mid-1990s, as CST went into new markets with more complex
customers include IBM, Intel, Mitsubishi, Samsung and Siemens. requirements, the company introduced CST MICROWAVE STUDIO.
CST simulation tools are used for a wide-variety of applications
including couplers, fi lters, planar structures, connectors, EMC and
SAR problems, all kind of antennas, packages, LTCC structures,
inductors, capacitors, waveguides, plasma sources, optical devices,
sensors, recording units, actuators, motors, and electromagnetic
brakes.
CST’s 3D electromagnetic simulation solutions off er built in
modeling capabilities as well as interfaces with CAD and electronic
design automation (EDA) tools to enable product designers to
model and run simulations. These simulations are run on the actual
design in a virtual environment to accurately determine electrical
performance of the fi nal product, greatly reducing the design risk
and saving development cycles.
The company’s electromagnetic simulation software CST STUDIO
SUITE™ is the culmination of many years of research and
development into the most effi cient and accurate computational
solutions to electromagnetic design. It features a range of
electromagnetic simulation modules including CST DESIGN
ENVIRONMENT™, CST MICROWAVE STUDIO®, CST DESIGN
STUDIO™, CST EM STUDIO®, CST PARTICLE STUDIO®, CST PCB
STUDIO™, and CST CABLE STUDIO™.
CST considered developing its own modeling kernel for Analysis: The model, with its assigned material properties, is
the new product but soon realized the eff ort needed filled into a mesh and a matrix is created. The user can cross check
much more manpower than the company could aff ord with the ACIS model to see where the lines will be and whether it
because it required hiring new staff with domain expertise will be filled with a particular material. Then the solution process
in building 3D geometry kernels. The long learning curve necessary begins to generate results primarily in the form of electromagnetic
to understand both 3D geometry construction and electromagnetic fields.
technology meant that the company had no chance to meet its
time-to-market requirements. CST was concerned that the end
Output: The output varies based on the application. For example,
if the model is an antenna the output could be the far fi eld results
result of a 3D geometry engine built internally would not be
for how well the antenna is radiating and in what direction. If
versatile enough to match the high level of accuracy, effi ciency,
it’s a PCB, the critical nets can be analyzed to produce a SPICE
fl exibility and functionality that are hallmarks of CST technology
compatible model of the behavior. Many results can be visualized
solutions.
or manipulated in order to generate the required output.
SOLUTION
CST’s success is based on the implementation of unique, leading
edge technology in a user-friendly interface. Early in its company
life, CST recognized that a collaborative approach with select
vendors would yield the competitive advantage it sought in the
electromagnetic simulation solution market.
CST developers fi rst heard about Spatial in the early 1990s: the
company was getting a lot of attention for its ACIS 3D modeling
engine. CST considered the Parasolid kernel but decided Spatial met
its criteria better because of its stability and handling of Boolean
operations. The company decided to purchase the technology for
their CST STUDIO SUITE. The team found it easy to integrate ACIS
into their solution and have been able to readily take advantage
of new capabilities in each subsequent release of ACIS. The
development cycle is an ongoing process – eight CST developers
work mainly with ACIS, and many more are involved to a lesser
extent.
“The Spatial functionality that was most critical to our development
plans was the modeler itself,” says Martin Timm, CST Marketing
Director. “When we started building CST MWS, our competition
looked more like MAFIA - complicated to use. We wanted to provide
our users with a truly interactive interface and modeling capability;
this was, in addition to our proprietary simulation technology,
crucial and Spatial ACIS contributed a lot to this.”
Based on the results, the user can decide to change the parameters
The workflow for CST MWS is a three-phase process in the original model whether imported or created in CST MWS;
involving input, analysis, and output: ACIS will rebuild the structure automatically, based on changed
Input: The user sets up the geometric problem by either importing parameters and the process will start again. In the end the user
a model from a third party CAD or EDA software package or by wants geometry that is going to fulfi ll initial requirements.
creating the model within CST MWS using Spatial’s ACIS modeling Depending on the application, the user could export geometry – as
kernel. If the model is imported from another tool Spatial’s InterOp an IGES or SAT fi le using Spatial translators, which can then be fed
translators are used to bring in the CAD model data in any number into a prototyping machine in order to build the prototype.
of formats including CATIA V5, CATIA V4, IGES, STEP and VDA-
FS. The 3D InterOp translators enabled CST developers to easily In addition to the core integration of ACIS and 3D InterOp
integrate advanced 3D data interoperability capabilities into CST translators into CST STUDIO SUITE, Spatial professional services
MWS and the other CST STUDIO SUITE modules. worked with CST on two custom projects: 1) an EDA project to
simplify the import of structures from an EDA tool such as Cadence
f the model is imported, the Spatial translators perform automatic and 2) developing a wrapping mechanism that enable sheets to
healing and simplifi cation. The ACIS modeling kernel is used to bend around other objects (e.g., conformal antennas).
fi ll gaps and smooth edges and facilitates easy modifi cation of
the imported structure. Whether imported or developed within CST “We benefit tremendously by sourcing technology from Spatial
MWS, the model is then parameterized to set up material property so that we can focus on our core competence of electromagnetic
attributes and boundary conditions to ensure that the free space simulation,” comments Timm. “With MAFIA we used to do
outside the boundary or behind the reflective wall is factored in. everything on our own; now licensing technology from Spatial is
crucial to our success.”
RESULTS
By integrating Spatial technology into CST STUDIO SUITE, CST can
focus on its core competence of numerical simulation technology
development. Through this powerful combination CST’s customers
benefi t shorter prototyping cycles, which translates into faster
time to market and lower development costs.
The use of ACIS enables CST to devote its resources to optimizing
the user experience While CST’s competitors also use ACIS, there is
a diff erence in the usability. CST off ers special features that aren’t
found in competitive products. “Spatial has given us a competitive
edge because we’ve been able to take advantage of the full scope
of capabilities that ACIS provides,” says Timm. “For example, CST
was the fi rst in the market to off er an interactive mouse input
2016 Dassault Systèmes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the Compass icon and the 3DS logo, CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, ENOVIA, DELMIA, SIMULIA, GEOVIA, EXALEAD, 3D VIA, BIOVIA, NETVIBES, and 3DXCITE are commercial trademarks or registered
trademarks of Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners. Use of any Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries trademarks is subject to their express written approval.
interface that facilitates unlimited redo/undo.”
Today CST maintains its competitive advantage by utilizing
as much of the ACIS functionality as possible, while
concentrating on developing leading edge numerical technology.
Did Spatial meet CST’s expectations? “Absolutely. We expected
a stable and versatile 3D geometry kernel and that was
truly fulfi lled. Spatial’s powerful kernel enabled us to use
functionality for building geometries that we couldn’t provide
on our own. Spatial has defi nitely fulfi lled our expectations,”
comments Timm. “If I had to pick one feature that has proven
most critical to the success of CST STUDIO SUITE it would
be how well ACIS handles Boolean operations, which are
complicated in our industry and most appreciated by our users.”
Our 3DEXPERIENCE Platform powers our brand applications, serving 12 industries, and provides a rich
portfolio of industry solution experiences.
Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations. Its
world-leading solutions transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported. Dassault Systèmes’ collaborative solutions foster social
innovation, expanding possibilities for the virtual world to improve the real world. The group brings value to over 170,000 customers of all sizes in all
industries in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com.
U.S. Spatial Headquarters Spatial EMEA Headqouarters Spatial ASIA Headquarters
310 Interlocken Parkway Altenkesseler Str. 17/B6 c/o Dassault Systemes K.K.
Suite 200 D-66115 ThinkPark Tower, 2-1-1
Broomfield, Colorado Saarbrücken Osaki,
80021 Germany Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-
USA 6020, Japan
